Integrating Biodiversity Offsets into the Chilean EIA process

Suárez, Rocío Andrea Cares (2024) Integrating Biodiversity Offsets into the Chilean EIA process. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Biodiversity offsetting is a conservation strategy aimed at compensating for unavoidable biodiversity losses resulting from development projects by creating equivalent biodiversity gains elsewhere, seeking to achieve ‘no net loss’ (NNL) or, ideally, ‘biodiversity net gain’ (BNG). Given the current biodiversity crisis and the critical role that biodiversity plays in sustaining ecosystems and human well-being, its protection has become a priority in global conservation efforts. This thesis investigates how Chile’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System can help to achieve NNL of biodiversity, addressing critical gaps in policy and practice. Firstly, Chilean biodiversity offset practices are evaluated against international benchmarks to identify gaps in legislative frameworks and highlight areas where Chile could enhance its approach to biodiversity offsetting. 18 international best-practice principles for biodiversity offsets were identified, forming a global analytical framework for evaluating biodiversity offset policies. Secondly, using a pragmatist research approach, this research employs qualitative and quantitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, to investigate how Chile adheres to national environmental obligations concerning biodiversity. The main findings highlight that biodiversity offsetting faces challenges in Chile due to weak adherence to the mitigation hierarchy, limited practitioner expertise, monitoring uncertainties and ineffective reporting. Finally, using an integrated approach of focus group and interviews, the study explores specific opportunities for enhancing biodiversity outcomes through the EIA System in Chile. These evidence-based recommendations include adaptive management, strengthened accountability, and use of ecosystem-based approaches as a means of improving biodiversity conservation outcomes and guide policy reforms. Additionally, the research contributes to the literature on environmental governance and biodiversity offsetting by proposing specific recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of biodiversity measures, and by developing an analytical framework for evaluating biodiversity offset policy. Ultimately, the research bridges theory and practice to support more sustainable and transparent environmental decision-making processes in Chile, influencing both national regulation and global biodiversity conservation efforts.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Kitty Laine
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2025 10:08
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2025 10:08
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99444
DOI:

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